Genius Life Hacks That Actually Work

Buzz Feed

a day ago

Sometimes the littlest things can make your daily routine *so* much easier. Reddit user ActuallyInFamous recently asked, "What is a life hack that actually has worked for you?" Here are the most helpful responses everyone should try at least once:
"Not looking at my clock, watch, phone, or anything when I'm going to bed. Even as much as I want to, when I can't fall asleep, I resist. Seeing what time it is and panicking about it helps no one. Works like a charm for my sleep."
"Be nice first — until they give you a reason not to be nice."
"If it's on your mind, handle it right away. Don't lie in bed thinking, 'Aw man, I should have done so and so or this and that.' This goes for the dishes, eating cake, and taking your dream vacation. If at all possible, try to have fewer 'what-ifs' in life."
"Having a place for the important things and putting them there when I am through with them."
"No more than two lights on per person. No lights on as long as the sun is up and out."
"Folding matching sheets, duvet cover, and pillow cases inside a pillow case, after washing them. Then I don't have to hunt for all the bits of the matching sets when I change the bedding."
"I keep a running Microsoft Word document for all work notes. Today's are on top. Super easy to refer back to. I start a new file about once a year."
"If you can do it in two minutes, do it now."
"The sugar craving is the same craving for water, somewhat. If you're having a sweet tooth, try a glass of water; odds are you are dehydrated."
"Before leaving a table at a restaurant, a hotel room, your plane seat, the backseat of an Uber, etc., take an extra moment to turn around and look at where you were. You'd be surprised at what you forgot to take with you."
"Clean the kitchen and wash dishes while I'm cooking. It is frustrating trying to clean a dirty kitchen after you've eaten. You're full, tired, and don't want to do anything. It's better to clean as you cook."
"Wearing a goofy grin on my face whenever I can. It turns out to be a great mood brightener. That being said, 'don't put it down, put it away' is absolutely brilliant."
"I fold the laundry as I take it out of the dryer. I'm more likely to put it away right away as opposed to living out of the basket of unfolded laundry."
"No eating in my room. The dishes end up staying there until they're well past disgusting."
"I used to snooze a lot, and then I decided I would start getting up immediately after the clock goes off, not read my phone or anything, just get up. I get more sleep and I have more energy throughout the day."
"Putting the sun visors down and against the windshield will actually help defog/defrost it faster."
"Getting the breakfast table ready the night before so I have a little more time in the morning, and just have to add the things that could spoil. I would do this right after dinner, and it always made me happy in the morning when I had to take my daughter to school and had a lot to do. I even had a tray with all the items that didn't need to be kept in the fridge, so I'd just have to take it out of the kitchen closet, plus the items from the fridge. The breakfast table was complete in 30 seconds every morning, which is a very relaxing way to start the day."
"Quitting alcohol."
"Learn to sew by hand. You don't need to be that skilled. Sew on the loose button, mend the torn seam, and patch it up generally. A younger friend of mine took her coat to a dry cleaners and they said, 'Do you want us to tighten the buttons for you?' She said yes. I think she thought it was a courtesy thing, and it was £3 per button. There were eight buttons, six on the coat and two on the cuffs. I told her next time I would do the buttons for her."
"If you have to do something unpleasant, do it properly so that you only have to do it once."
"Make your bed in the morning. That way, even if you do nothing all day, you will have accomplished something."
What's your best life hack? Share yours in the comments!
Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.